Trailer for motor-vehicles.



0. C.y HOUSHTUN.

INVENTOR Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

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W1 TNESSES:

o. c. HouGHoN.

TRAILER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.,

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I3. 19|?.

Patented 861ml?, 1918,

4 snfss-su 2.

INVENTOR URLEY C. JQUGHz'oN, BY I .f1/f, Q. I AT RNEYS.

W I T NESSES:

I @MZ 0. C. HOUGHTON.

TRAILER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION F|LED 0cT.13. 1911.

Patented Sept. 17,1918..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IO lo INVENTOR: RLEY CfOUGHTa/z f"/ f" ATTORNEYS.

0. C. HOUGHTON.

TRAILER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I3. |917.

l,27,93 Patented sept. 17, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ATTORNEYS.

ORLEY C. HOUGHTON, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 FREDERICK C. AUSTIN, 0F

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. Y

TRAILER FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 17,1918.

application led October 13, 1917. Serial No. 196.407.

To all lello/lt t may fo/wem.'

Bc it known that l, ORLICY C. l'loUolrroN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident ot' the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ot' Illinois, have. invented a certain new and useful Improvement in T 'ailers for Motor-Vehicles: and l do hereby declareconstruction, as hereinafter first fully setl forth and described and then pointed out in the claims.

The object of this invention is the production of an eiicient, serviceable, convenient, and easily moved trailer for motor driven vehicles. and especially that class of ina ehines on which endless track bands are employed as a means of propulsion of the vehicle.

To attain this object, l construct this trailer in the preferred embodiment ot' my invention. as shown in the drawings forming a part ol this specification, and illustrating this vehicle very fully. ln these drawings, Figure 1 is a. side elevation of this` trailer. Fig. Q is a transverse sectional elevation. the right hand portion of which is drawn ron the indirect line Qa-l of Fig. 1, the left hand portion thereof being drawn on line 2 2 of the same Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the supports or hangers that carryv the superstructure of the vehicle, the .springs employed in this hanger being omitted, Fig. l is a transverse sectional elevation of the hanger, on line 4-1 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan ot the trailer, the right hand traction element. being drawn in section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a plan of a portion of the truck employed in this trailer, and illustrating the connector for the two truck-members. this figure, and the next following Figs. 7 and 8 being drawn on an in-v creased scale. Fig. 7 is a side elevation; and Fig. 8 is an end elevation ot' the connector. Fig. 9 is a miniature, diagrammatic, View of the trailer, showing the hinge connection of one of the sides of the wagon box to the subframe of the trailer.

This trailer comprises a wagon-boX like structure which is mounted on a pair of trucks, one on each side ot' the box, there being mounted in each truck a pair of band wheels over which an endless track band is stretched on which the vehicle moves when drawn behind a motor driven vehicle, the trailer not being provided with means for auto-propulsion. This VboX is supported upon theI trucks by springs; and it has `one ot' its sides hingedly connected to the subt'ranie, so that it may be swung, or turned down to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle.

The box A, includes a subframe constructed ot two longitudinal channel bars 1t), 11, and two end channel bars 12, 13, the longitudinal channel bars being connected b v a series of transverse beams 11, all of which bars are securely connected,.one to the other, in the conventional steel construction, which is so well known as not to require illustration or description. Upon this subt'rame. there is located the bottom 15, comprising a multiplicity of steel plates securely riveted. as shown, to the subframe. To one ot' the side, and to the two end channel bars 10, 1Q, and 13, there is securely rivet-ed one of the sides 16, and the two ends 17, 18 ot' the box, while the second longitudinal side 19, is hingedly connected to the longitudinal channel 11, so that this side 19 may be turned down to approximately horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2,' to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle, said drop side 19 being held in substantiallyhorizontal position by chains 20, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. To the upper margins of all the side and end walls there are riveted angles 21; and at the sides andends there are. vertically spaced angles 22, whereby a very strong and substantial structure is attained, which, being entirely constructed of commercial structural steel shapes, can be produced at a reasonable price.

The box A is supported upon two trucks, which are alike in construction, and will, therefore, be described in the singular' number. Each truck includes two angle bars Q3, '34, having, preferably, unequal limbs, the longer ones being vertically disposed to insure greater strength. These two angles are,

medially of their` length, connected by a casting B, Figs. 1, 2 and 5, and in detail, and on an increased scale in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. This casting comprises two bars 25, 26, by 5 which, and bolts 27, this casting, which I term connector, is securely bolted to the angles 23, 24. These two bars 25, 26, are rigidly connected by a longitudinal arcuate member 28; and upon these bars and the arcuate member 28, rises a transverse arch 29,

reaching entirely across the truck, and having in its crown a transverse bearing 30; there being a web 31, in said arch to stil'en the same, while a web 32, in the arcuate member 28 performs a like function.

`From the arch 29 rise four supports 33, which terminate in bearings 34, the object of which bearings will hereinafter appear.

To the underside of the longitudinal channels 10, 11, of the subframe, there are secured hangers C, Figs. 1 and 2, and shown in detail on an increased scale in Figs. 3 and 4. Each of these hangers comprises an, approximately inverted U-shaped, plate 35, said plate having ribs 36, of a width approximately equal to the horizontal limbs of 'the truck channels 10, 11, which ribs are in parallel spaced relationship, to afford an opening 37, therebetween; and in this opening there is movably mounted a journal box 38, bored as at 39, to receive.v an axle,40, which axle reaches transversely from the outer side of one of the trucks to the` outer side of the other truck, and engages the bearings 30 of the connectors B, whereby said trucks may oscillate on said axle to follow undulations of the ground over which the trailer may be moving. The hangers have at thev lower terminals flanges 41, to which are riv- 40 eted brace bars 42, the members of which eX- tendv divergingly from the hangers and have their ends secured to the undersides of the channels 10, 11. These braces prevent the journalboxes 38 from dropping out of the hangers, and at the same time serve as stiffeners for the same. Traversing the opening `37 in the hanver, there is a plate 43; and

between this p ate and the top of the journal box there are interposed in the opening 32,

preferably two, springs 44, whereby the vehicle box is flexibly supported on the trucks.

At the forward ends of the truck-menibers 23, 24, there are secured journals 45; and at the opposite ends of said truck-members there are bolted housings 46, in which there are movably mounted similar journal boxes 47, which latter journal boxes may be moved in their housings by adjusting screws 48, the

object of which is to afford means by which v slack in the endless track band may be taken up.

In the journal boxes 45 and 47 there are mounted shafts 49; and upon these shafts are mounted band wheels 50, 51. Over these 66 band Wheels there are trained endless track tions precisely bands D, which bands are composed of pivotally connected links 52, having a track 53, on which the vehicle travels, each link having a wide shoe or tread to afford large bearing surfaces for the vehicle. 70

From the lower margins of the truck angles 23,` 24, extend axle boxes 54, Figs. 1 and 2, in which are rotatably mounted shafts 55 on which are secured track wheels 56, which travel upon the tracks 53; and l may 75 now mention that the bearings 34 of the connector B receive shafts 57, Fig. 1, on which there are secured carrying rollers 58, that support the upper stretch of the endless track band D. Regarding these axle boxes I will remark that they are of the usual car axle box construction as employed on every railway or street car, and that in their present employment they perform their funci the saine manner Without 85 change or modification, their employment in a motor driven vehicle being considered by me but a case of double use.

This trailer has at its ends couplings |59, whereby it may be connected to a motor driven vehicle, and whereby other trailers may be connected to the first trailer whenever a train of cars is being made up.

In view of the fact that the speed of the trailer cannot be well controlled when moving on a down grade and be liable to bump into the tractor, I provide means for avoiding this trouble; said means including brake mechanism comprising the following ele ments: i

On the periphery of each of the band wheels 50. (or on the band-wheels 51 for that matter) there is located a brake shoe 60; and to the inner side of the truck Aangle bar 24 there is pivoted a brake lever 161, pivotally connected to the brake shoe. To the longitudinal channels of the subframe are secure bearings in which there is mounted a shaft 62, to one end of which there is affixed a hand-lever 63, one member 64 of which con- 110 neets to the brake-lever 61 by a rod 65. Behind the hand-lever 63 there is placed a ratchet segment 66, wherewith engages a pawl 67.. Fig. 1, which pawl is actuated by a release-lever 68, pivoted to the hand-lever 63, and connected to the dog or pawl 67 by a rod (39. Pulling this hand-lever toward the left of Fig. 1, will apply the brake shoe to the band wheel, and the pawl 67 will hold the` shoe in applied position, while manipulating the release-lever 68 to disengage the pawl, and moving the hand-lever back to original or normal position, will release the brake. As hereinbefore stated, the brakeshaft 62 crosses the subframe, and at the 125 end of the shaft which is opposed to the hand-lever, there is mounted an arm 64, which by a rod 65a connects to a brake-lever 61a, and the latter to a brake shoe not j shown) bearing on the second band W eel nemesi 50, so that both brakes are applied and released by the single hand-lever G3. And to` vA a seat 70, convenient to the brake'lever,

on which the brakes man may be seated.

In order to preserve the parallelism of the two trucks, there are mounted on the axle 40, and medially thereof, collars 70; and from these collars diverge tie rods 71, 72, which reach rearwardly to the rear ends of the inner truck members 24, and are securely fastened thereto. as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5. e

To support themehicle box A in approximately horizontal position, when the trailer is not coupled to a motor driven vehicle, I provide at one end of the box A a pivoted' supporting bar 73, having at its lower end a shoe 74, there being a slight preponderance of weight at this end of the wagon box by locating' the supporting axle 40 slightly out of the center of the box. To this supporting bar is connected a wire rope or other suitable means 75, by which the supporting bar may be pulled up when not required, in an obvious manner.

I will now state that the entire structure described, is metallic, no wood or other material entering into the construction tliereof, which, therefore, produces a most siibstan tial structure; and while this trailer is well adapt-ed for hauling heavy merchandise and materials, it. is especially well adapted for military and war purposes for supplying `an army with ammunition, food, and"- other requisites in large quantities, and particularly so when a train of these trailers is pulled by a traction engine having suiicient draw-bar pull for this purpose.

The trailer is constructed to move upon a self-laying track having very wide shoes ortreads, and a long wheel base whereby it is admirably well adapted for operation in the field, upon soft, muddy, or bog soil Where a trailer having wheels woild be positively mired and useless. y

In this connection I desire to call attention to the fact that While this trailer has trucks, primarily designed for use on vehicles not supplied with motive power, these trucks are equally well adapted for employment in motor driven vehicles, one of the novel features in these trucks being the employment. of structural steel forthe horizontal membersof the truck frames, fand in the connector for these members, which is an integrally formed casting of the particular construct-ion hereinbefore described. I hafe also stated that one ofthe side walls of the wagon box is hingedlv connected to one of the longitudinal channel bars of the subtraine; and in Fig. 9 I have illustrated this hinge construction. To the Wall 19 where are securely fastened hinge-members 80; and

to the channel bar 11 there are secured hingemembers 81, 82,in which, and the hingemembers 80 there are pins 83, on which the side wall may swing. Locking means, not shown, may be provided to hold the drop side to the box in vertical position.

I have hereinbefore described with con- .siderable minuteness the preferred embodiment of my invention, but I desire it to be distinctly understood that I am aware that minor details of construction disclosed, may be changed, and parts omitted wit-hout departing from the scope of my invention as defined'in the' subjoined claims.

Having thus fully described this invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure to myself by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. A trailer for motor driven vehicles, including, a subframe, a wagon box on said subframe, and a running gear for said trailer, comprising, a truck on each side of said subframe, each truck including a pair of spaced-apart angle bars, a connector on said angle bars, a bearing at the apex of said connector, an axle mounted in said bearing, hangers depending from said subframe and engaging said axle, a pair of band wheels rotatably mounted between said spacedapart angle bars, an endless track band trained over each coacting pair of band wheels, car-axle boxes depending from said spaced-'apart angle bars, a. series of track wheels rotatably mounted in said car-axle boxes and engaging said endless track band, there being on said connector upwardly extending supports, said supports terminating in bearings, and rollers rotatably mounted in the latter bearings and supporting the upper run of said endless track band.

2. In a trailer for motor driven vehicles, the combination, of a. subframe, a wagon box on said subframe, a running gear for said trailer, said running gear includin two trucks, one onleach sideof said sub rame, each truck including two spaced-apart angle bars, a connector, said connector consisting of two bars to which said angle bars are secured. a longitudinal, arcuate, member connecting said two bars, a transverse arch sprung from the outer edge of one of said bars to the outer edge of the other of said bars, a bearing in the crown of said arch, an axle mounted in said bearing, and means connecting said axle to said sub-frame.

3. In a trailer constructed for connection to a motor vehicle, the combination, with a Wa on body, of two trucks for supporting sai wagon body, one on each side thereof, each truck comprising a pair of angle bars in parallel s aced relationship, a connector for seid ang e bars, said connector being a casting having integrally formed therewith two arched members crossin .each other, one of said arched members ha ing a. main bearing and upwardly extending supports, each support. terminating in a bearing, band wheels rotatably mounted between said spaced-apart angle bars, an endless track band trained over said band wheels, supporting rollers mounted in the bearings of the upwardly extending supports, an axle mounted in said main bearing, and means connecting said axle to said wagon body.

el. Ina trailer, the combination, of a subframe, said subframe including two channel bars in spaced relationship, a wagon box mounted on said subframe, a pair of trucks for said subframe, an axle connecting said trucks. and means on said subframe to connect said subtrame to said axle, said means including inverted, U-shaped, plates, the top members of said plates heilig bolted to the sides of said channel bars, each plate having rearwardly extending ribs` said ribs being in parallel spaced relationship to afford between them a vertical opening` a cross bar in said opening. a journal box vertically movable. in said opening, springs in said opening between said journal box and said cross bar, said axle engaging said journal box.

In a trailer, the combination, of a subt'rame, a wagon box on said subframe, a pair ot' trucks for said subframe, an axle connecting said trucks, and means on said subtrame for connecting said subframe to said axle, said means including an inverted U-shaped. plate, said plate having rearwardly extending ribs` said ribs being in parallel spaced relationship to afford between them a vertical opening, a cross bar in said opening. a journal box vertically movy able in said opening, springs in'` said opening between said journal box and said cross bar, said plate being ixedly connected to said subframe. and brace rods connecting the lower terminals of said U-shaped plate 'to said subtrame at a distance from said plate.

t. In a structure ot the nature described, a truck frame` said truck frame including `two angle bars, said angle bars having unequal legs. said angle bars being in parallel spaced relation, said angle bars being rigidly connected to each other, said connection being an integrally-formed casting, said casting comprising two bars to which said angle, bars are fastened, an arcuate member connecting these two bars at the inner margins 'hereof` an arch sprung from the outer margin of one bar to the outer margin of the other bar. a bearing at the crown of the latter arch` a multiplicity of supports rising from the latter arch, each ot said supports terminating in a bearing.

T. In a structure of the nature described, a truck frame. said truck frame including two angle-bars. said angle bars having unequal legs. said angle bars being in parallel spaced relation, said angle bars being rigidly connected to each other. said connection being an integrallyformed casting, said casting comprising two bars to which said angle bars are fastened, an arcuate member connecting these two bars. an arch sprung from the outer margin ot' one bar to the outer margin of the other bar, a bearing at the crown of the latter arch. a nmltiplicity of supports rising from the latter arch, each of said supports terminating in a bearing, -ar axle boxes secured to, and depending from, the lower margins of said angle bars. 8. In a structure ot' the nature described, a truck frame, said truck frame including two angle bars in parallel spaced relationship, said angle bars heilig rigidly connected to each other, said connection being an integrally formed casting, said casting comprising two bars to which said angle bars are fastened, an arcuate member connecting said two bars, .a second arcuate member crossing said first arcuate member at right angles, a main bearing at the crown of the latter arcuate member, a multiplicity of supports rising from said latter arcuate member, each of said supports terminating in a bearing, an axle engaging said main bearing, a Wagon box supported by said axle, a fixed bearing at one end of each angle bar. a housing at the other ends of said angle bars, m'ovable jour nal boxes, in said housings, shafts mounte in the boxes on the angle bars, band Wheels mounted on said shafts, an endless track band trained over said band Wheels, shafts rotatably mounted in the bearings on said supports. supporting rollers mounted on the latter shafts to support the upper stretch of said endless track band, car axle boxes depending from said angle bars, shafts rotatably mounted in said car axle boxes, and track wheels on the latter shafts to run on the lower stretch of said endless track band. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto set my hand.

ORLEY HOUGHTON. 

